Watertown Hires Familiar Face to be New City Clerk

Noelle Gilligan, right, has been named Watertown’s City Clerk. Here she gave the oath to the School Committee members, from left, Rachel Kay, Kendra Foley, and Lisa Capoccia, when Gilligan was the interim clerk. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Congratulations to Noelle Gilligan, who has been appointed and sworn in as Watertown’s new City Clerk, effective today, Monday, January 22, 2024. Noelle has been a key member of the Clerk’s Office staff for five years, providing customer service while coordinating many aspects of licensing and elections, first working with City Clerk, John Flynn, and then with Janet Murphy, who recently left the office. Noelle stepped up into the new Deputy Clerk role, and quickly hit the ground running when it came time to become Acting City Clerk, organizing important documents, and leading an effective city election this past November.

Sen. Brownsberger Seeks Input Through Online Gun Survey

Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. With the Massachusetts State Senate State to soon be taking up legislation on guns and firearms, Sen. Will Brownsberger seeks input via an online survey. Sen. Brownsberger sent out the following announcement:

Please take a few minutes to complete my survey on guns. The survey asks 26 true-false questions about feelings, opinions, and factual understandings on guns, gun violence, and gun laws. The survey is anonymous. We will be debating gun legislation in the senate sometime soon and I will also be inviting you to an open dialog about gun policy within the next week or two.  This survey will help define context for that dialog.  Your survey participation is important to me whether or not you plan to participate in that dialog.

Watertown Health Department Moving to New Location

As part of a plan to reorganize Watertown’s municipal departments, the Health Department will be moving out of City Hall. The Health Department will be one of the departments moving south of the Charles River to the Parker Annex building, formerly the Parker School. The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The Watertown Health Department is moving on February 1, 2024 to the Parker Annex at 124 Watertown Street, 3G, Watertown, MA 02472. They will still have the same phone number of 617-972-6446, all of the same contact information, and the same webpage. See the google map and get directions.

Watertown Community Preservation Program’s Current Projects, Reviewing Applications

The following announcement was provided by the Community Preservation Committee:

The Community Preservation Program is approaching its fifth year of operation. Since the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) adopted the Community Preservation Act Five-year Plan 2021-2025, the CPC has conducted two complete funding rounds. This year, the CPC celebrated the completion of the program’s first two projects. Irving Park got revamped using $372,606 in outdoor recreation funds and the Edmund Fowle House saw its deteriorated wooden gutters replaced using $47,177 in historic preservation funds. While Irving Park is city-owned, the Fowle House Museum, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and built in 1772, is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Watertown.

This Week: Council Considering Snow Shoveling Requirement, Project at Former Cannistraro Site

A rendering of the proposed life science project at former Cannistraro property on Pleasant Street, Rosedale Road, and Acton Street. (Courtesy of Broder)

The City Council will be considering a requirement for residents to shovel sidewalks on Tuesday night, and Wednesday the Planning Board will hear the proposal for a biotech campus on Pleasant Street. The City Council’s agenda includes the amendment to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance that would require sidewalks in front of residential properties to be cleared within 24 hours of the end of a storm. The first violation would get a written warning, the second faces at $50 fine and third and later in one winter would get a $100 fine. There are exceptions for people “who are unable to meet the physical requirements of this section, particularly for low-income, elderly, or disabled residents, or for other unusual circumstances.”

The Council meets on Tuesday, Jan.

Council Will Consider Requiring Residents to Remove Snow in Front of their Properties

Watertown residents would be required to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their homes if the amendment to the Snow Ordinance is approved. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance on Tuesday, Jan. 9, Council President Mark Sideris said during his address at Tuesday’s Inauguration Ceremony. The meeting will be held at City Hall beginning at 7 p.m. Remote participation will be available. Watertown already has snow and ice removal rules for commercial properties, but the changes to the Snow and Ice Removal Ordinance would add requirements to remove snow from sidewalks in front of homes.

Mara Dolan Will Challenge Incumbent for Governor’s Council

Mara Dolan entered he race for Governor’s Councilor District 3. The following announcement was provided by the Mara Dolan campaign:

Mara Dolan announced her campaign for Governor’s Council, challenging long-term incumbent Marilyn Devaney. The Governor’s Council confirms judges, Parole Board members, and commutations and pardons. Devaney has represented District 3 since 1999. District 3 runs from Boston south to Wellesley, north to Chelmsford, and west to Marlborough, with 31 cities and towns including Watertown, Arlington, Brookline, Burlington, Newton, Waltham, Woburn, and Boston’s Allston, Brighton, Back Bay, Fenway, Longwood, and South End neighborhoods.

Watertown’s City Council Has Some Big Issues Waiting as New Term Begins

City Council President Mark Sideris outlined the accomplishments of the past two terms and issues facing the City Council in the new term at the 2024 Inauguration. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The New Year also ushered in a new term for Watertown’s elected boards, and the City has some issues on its plate to tackle soon, including a show shoveling ordinance, short-term rentals, and reusing some former city buildings. City Council President Mark Sideris addressed the crowd Tuesday night at the Commander’s Mansion after members of the City Council, School Committee, and Board of Library Trustees took the oath of office. Watertown’s elected officials waited to be sworn in at the 2024 Inauguration at the Commander’s Mansion. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

When the Council meets on Jan.